Illustrations for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" 1956

This illustration by Hryhorii Havrylenko, was made for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" with ink, and it's all about the dance of the pen. You see it in every little squiggle and dash. The way the artist builds up tone through the density of his marks, it's like watching a story unfold, one line at a time. The texture feels almost scratchy and raw, it invites you to lean in close, to trace the contours of the figures with your eyes. Look at how the lines around the old man's beard seem to vibrate with energy, the way they mimic the unruly growth of nature itself. There's a sense of spontaneity, a feeling that the artist is capturing a fleeting moment. It reminds me of the work of illustrators like Quentin Blake, who aren't afraid to let their personality shine through in every stroke. It embraces imperfection, inviting us to see the world with fresh eyes.